It was more than met the eyes. All most saw was a glorified cup filled with a blue flame. But in truth it was so much more. The goblet had a mind and a soul of it's own. It was created to be the epitome of fairness and justice. Created long before Rome was built it had seen and survived more than any human could take. It had traveled the world many times over. And here it found it's self basically drawing straws for children's games. HUM! It would show them. IF they wanted to make men out of boys then who was this chalice to stand in their way?
"When I call each champion please come and stand here. Once all the champions are chosen we will adjourn to the antechamber." Dumbledore said at the start of the drawing. The goblet fired and a piece of parchment floated in his hands. "The Dunstram champion is... Viktor Krum!" The Bulgarians, most of Slytherin, and a few others cheered for him. He stepped up looking proud and arrogant.
The goblet flared a second time releasing a second charred piece of parchment. "The Beauxbaton champion is... Felur Delacroix." Most of the males present along with the other members of the French school cheered for her. The third parchment came shortly after she strutted like a spoiled princess among servants to join the Bulgarian.
"The Hogwarts champion is... Cedric Diggory!" The Hogwarts crew nearly deafened all the others cheering for the popular Hufflepuff seeker. He was all similes and in a way reminded some of Lockhart's entry.
The hall went from roaring to complete silence it an instant when the chalice flared a 4th time and ejected another name. Dumbledore snatched it and looked at the page in annoyance and confusion. "Harry Potter" He said in a confused voice. "Harry Potter!" He said louder.
Hermione pushed him forward. He walked up to the front head down. 'Why me?' He thought. He was so frustrated he could feel tears prickling at the corners of his eyes. He kept his head bowed so that no one could see how badly he was effected.
"Now that we..." Dumbledore started but was cut off by the goblet once again releasing a parchment. He caught it as well. He looked at it even more confused. "The terms of this competition say only adults can compete. So. Mote. It. Be." He read out. Lines of magic came from the goblet to each champion. After several moments the magic stopped and each champion began to glow. The glow became so bright that you could not see the people inside. Finally they burst in a shower of sparks. Standing in the place of each champion was an older version of themselves.
They all looked around. "CED!" Harry called jumping on the former seeker and head boy.
"Harry." He said hugging the man back. "What in the name of Mother Magic are you doing here?"
"Mother magic really Ced?" Harry asked. "I can cuss in 6 different languages and that is the best you can do?"
Cedric just laughed at him. "I, unlike you, have to set an example for the impressionable minds of Hogwarts."
"Henry. Iz zizs how you treat familia?" Felur asked tapping her foot.
"Mo belle Felur. Pardon mademoiselle. I could not see your radiant beauty for this oaf in the way." He replied pushing Cedric aside to hug the gorgeous French woman and spin her around. He sat her down and kissed her cheeks. "How have you been?"
Felur giggled holding on to Harry for balance. "I am fine Henry. How hav you been?"
"Great." He replied. "We are in Mexico at the moment working on some Aztec ruins." He released the woman and approached Viktor. "Hello you kopele."
"Kuchka." He replied with a nod. After a moment you could see their lips twitch. Viktor gave in and hugged Harry harshly. You could almost hear his bones protesting. Harry gave a strangled laugh before returning the favor. The broader man let out a huff and groan as he was squeezed.
"It's good to see you Viktor. It's been a while." Cedric said shaking his hand.
"Since we killed you in the semifinals and you quit in shame?" He said with a smile his accent was almost gone
"For the last time your idiotic, thick skull-ed, frozen dicked, arse! I DID NOT QUIT BECAUSE I LOST!" He shouted at the man in uncharacteristic vulgarity. "I quit because I was offered the Transfiguration teaching position." He added regaining his composure.
"And now Ced you know why I won't come over to your family's house." Harry told him. "it was 21 years ago that you beat me, with the help of over 100 dementors, might I add and he still won't let it go."
Cedric sighed. "I know that. Dad's just dad. You know how he is." He scrubbed his face. "Hey? What are you all doing here? I just realized I'm the only one that actually belongs at Hogwarts."
"Well all 4 of us are together, Dumbledore, Severus and Igor are not dead and in the same room so 3 guesses." Harry replied.
"Oh no. I am not going to be 17 again. I refuse. My wife would kill me." Cedric replied looking horrified.
Harry laughed. "Ah yes. You were still dating the bitch weren't you? Sucking face with her would definitely get you killed."
"Who are you talking about?" Felur asked curious.
"She has no name to me." Harry said sticking his nose in the air. "She is dead to all families I head or am part of." He added looking every inch a powerful lord, authority and power Lucius Malfoy would be hard pressed to emulate seemed to pour off him.
"I liked her at the time but after I found out the horrible person she really was I... we have hated her ever sense and Harry refuses to speak her name." Cedric told her. "She was Cho Chang." He stage whispered
Felur thought for a moment looking confused.
"She is the girl you took to the ball?" Viktor asked. Cedric nodded. "I knew you were a fool. She had a pretty enough face but her eyes were like filthy pools of greed."
"I remember her now." Felur said. "She ruined my new robes wiz ink after she saw uz talking. Viktor had much better taste in dates."
"Yeah that's true." Cedric said. "But in my defense I was a stupid 17 year old boy."
"I shall allow you to ask Hermione this time as long as I can claim the hand of the radiant Luna for the evening." Viktor told him.
"Well?" Cedric asked looking to Harry. "You are the most qualified to negotiate Hermione and Luna's hands for a date."
Harry looked to be thinking for a moment. "Hermione can choose which to take to the dance. The other shall escort either Ginny or Luna, which ever Neville doesn't choose."
"An zen who shall accompany me?" Felur asked.
Harry thought. "Marcus or Blaise from Hogwarts or Hugo or Shtaven from Dunstram. Or if your feeling nostalgic you could invite Willaim."
She looked away old pain in her eyes. "Hugo haz sweaty hands. I shall think on ze others."
Dumbledore in an effort to gain control seized the only information he really understood. "Harry my boy you shouldn't insult Miss. Chang"
Harry turned sharp, cold, emeralds on him. "That bitch!" He shouted gesturing toward Ravenclaw. "Is bullying one of her own. She misuses her prefect powers. And I would bet every knut that any Potter has ever owned that right this second Hermione could beat the girl in any subject outside of flying, crying, whining and being a whore!" He shouted raising his voice. Power waving around him like a breeze. You could see small sparks in his hair as it moved. "I am not your puppet anymore. I know about your magic be dammed prophecy and I say it is shit. If you weren't such a lazy coward then Tomas the bastard halfblooded son of a muggle would already be dead!"
While he was getting more and more worked up Cedric went over to Hermione. "Mione. Your the only one at this time brave enough to stop him. If you don't do something Harry's magic is going to start causing damage."
Hermione looked up at the man. He was so much more hansom up close. He had a small goatee and he smelled like broom polish, parchment and mint. He didn't look much different. A thin scar going from the middle of his cheek halfway down his neck, seemed to be the only change.
She blinked a few times getting herself back together. She looked up at her best friend. The boy, now man, that she saw as a brother. She stood and ran to him, grabbing him around the waist. She felt the strangest sensation. It was like water being poured over her but instead of being wet she felt charged with energy. 'It must be Harry's magic' She thought. 'But I never knew magic could be so physical yet not do anything.' Harry really was a puzzle. It was one of the things she loved about him.
Harry jerked when he was touched. No one should have been able to get close without him noticing. He looked down to see a young Hermione hugging his waist and smiled. Hermione was one of a very, very few that his magic didn't register because he knew they would never be a threat no matter what.
He hugged her back. "Thanks Mione. I needed that. I'm glad I have you for this latest bit of insanity. I don't know what I would do with out you." He said truthfully kissing the top of her bushy hair smiling.
"How disgusting. Kissing mudbloods in public. It should be a crime." Draco said causing a few snickers from the less intelligent.
"Dracous Abaraxas Malfoy. I am Lord of the Black family and If you would like to continue receiving that nice fat allowance from my vaults you will learn to mind your manners. I will give you the boon that should you prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that you are better than Hermione in any legal magical area other than flying then I will allow you to call her what every you like." He said to the arrogant boy. You could see him pale and deflate. He sat and said nothing else the rest of the night proving to all those that could understand subtlety that he knew the girl could best him in any challenge he came up with.
Hermione smiled up at Harry. "Do you really believe that? That I can beat both Malfoy and Change in anything?"
"OF course I do, and not just me. I think Hagrid got it right all those years ago, 'There ain't a spell our Hermione can't do.' And that's the truth. But I would amend it saying there isn't anything our Hermione can't do. You have out smarted Voldemort more times than I have defeated him. You even tricked Bellatrix Lestrange into letting you into her vault. You are a genius and I would be dead if you weren't my best friend."
Hermione beamed up at him. She hugged him even tighter than Viktor had earlier.
"Careful Harry. People will start to think you are in love with Hermione." Viktor said
"Only an idiot would think that. I love Hermione more than almost anyone. But she is now and will always be just a sister to me. And even her husband will have to get in line to punish those that would hurt her. Hell I still have the first man to put her in the infirmary in the Potter dungeons showing him my displeasure." HE replied with an evil smile.
"Is that the same wing you plan on using to interrogate your children's future lovers?" Cedric asked.
"Yes it is. Why?" Harry replied with a strait face. Though it didn't hold long before he was chuckling.
"Harry how could you keep a man locked up. What if he was innocent?" Dumbledore asked looking scandalized that his golden boy could do such a thing.
"Easy. 1 I saw him hurt Hermione and Luna. 2 he was tried by the Wizingott and found guilty I just asked to allow the Potter family to enact their revenge before sending him to finish his days at Azkaban. 3 I have questioned him under truth serum and the things he has done are not to be spoken of with children present. I'm not some saint or savior. I have a life and a family that I am willing to sacrifice everything even my morals to defend."
Dumbledore didn't really have an answer for that. Harry took Hermione back over to Gryffindor and then walked over to Ravenclaw. He held out his hand for Luna. "My lady allow me to remove you from the presents of these peons."
Luna looked up at him looking for deceit. Seeing none she took his hand. He gently helped her rise and took her over to Gryffindor. "Heir Longbottom. I have taken these ladies into the protection of my house until such a time that they find a suitable husband to take over their care. I have other business to attend tonight and am leaving them to you. Do you accept?" He asked in a very formal tone.
Neville stood and bowed lightly. "Yes Lord Potter I will accept responsibility for these Ladies of House Potter." He said just as formally.
Harry nodded setting Luna between Neville and Dean since Ginny was on the other side. "Hermione please don't get your feathers ruffled. Neville can explain in private, or if you want I will when I get back."
Hermione looked up at him. He could see she was ready to make speeches about woman's rights but she held her tongue and nodded.
Harry walked back up to join the others. Cedric smiled at him and nodded. "If the champions will join us in the chamber." Bagmen said.
They nodded and as they walked to the chamber Harry spoke loud enough for most of the hall to hear. "Oh Ludo. I'll be nice and give you till 1 week before the last task to come up with that money you own the Weasley twins. IF you don't I'll be forced to turn you over to Yanfang." He said with a sinister smile.
Ludo Bagmen froze and paled faster than healthy. He stammered out that he would have it as soon as possible. For the lying gambler was more terrified of the Goblin debt collector than any other thing in the world.
Once they were in the chamber Madame Maxine was the first to speak. "How old are you now?" She questioned
"We are 20 years older Headmistress." Felur told her. Maxine thought for a moment then nodded.
"This is highly irregular." Crouch said.
"You have no room to talk Crouch. Among other crimes I'm sure you committed you lock an innocent man away with out a trial. And when I prove that your life and career will be over." Harry told him. "So don't go talking to me of irregularity. You, Voldemort and Dumbledore are responsible for my screwed up childhood."
"Get off your high horse Potter." Severus sneered.
"Why aren't you a squib Sev?" He asked sarcastically. "Maybe you are. Because I know for a fact you swore on your life and magic to my mother that if she ever had a child YOU would never allow it to get near Petunia Dursley nee Evans. 3 guesses where this man placed me." He said with more venom than even the dungeon bat could infuse into his words motioning to Dumbledore.
Severus blinked for a moment taking in what had been said. He turned on Dumbledore. "How dare you? I will do as I swore and insure that boy never returns to that magic be dammed harpy." he crossed his arms and gave a withering glare. "I would, and Lilly agreed, see Po... Harry raised by the dark lord rather than her." Harry nodded satisfied that the powerful Prince heir was on his side now.
"Harry please deal with your personal issues later." Cedric told him. "We know the rules and will compete in the tournament. Now we all have other agenda's to attend to and would all like to get to sleep."
The other champions nodded in agreement. After a few more annoying moments they were dismissed.
It seemed the whole of Gryffindor was waiting when Harry returned. Before anyone else could get to him the twins each wrapped an arm around Harry. "Thanks for that with Bagman mate." Fred said
"Yeah from the look on his face we'll have our money by tomorrow." George added
"If not sooner." Harry joked. "No worries guys. It's what families do. Now for 2 of my favorite brothers I will make you a deal. For every O you get on your NEWTS next year I will give you 200 galeons toward the store. And if you can help me catch Peter Petigrew I will personally introduce you to Padfoot and Mooney."
They looked at him in shock. Both hugged him shouting YES over and over. They spent the next several minutes bowing down to Harry and calling him a god. Harry and the other griffins just laughed at their antics.
"So Harry how did you do it?" Ron asked a bit put out and... well a teenager.
"Ron lets get something strait right now because I will not go an entire year the way this went last time. You are my best friend. Right up there with Hermione. The 34 year old Ron from my time has stood by my side and spit in the face of the Dark Lord... Literally spit. You are a chess prodigy, a better Keeper than Wood and the Godfather to 3 of my children. And you are the co-owner and manager of Greenwood the best Quiddach team in the world. We won 3 world cups under your command. So can you not be a jealous jerk please?"
Ron looked at him. "We own a Quiddich team? How? I don't want charity."
Harry sighed. "No YOU and Ollie do. I don't have time to do anything with it. Half the time I'm on the other side of the world. I did put up the capital to buy the team and get it into top form but both you and Oliver were only paid 2/3 your normal wages for the first 3 years to pay me back so you own it free and clear. I have several shares in the the teams memorabilia company but that's neither here nor there."
Ron just stared at him. "Wow." He looked away for a moment. "How did you get entered? If you didn't do it."
Harry smiled knowing his friend would mellow out some for now. "Voldemort." He said plainly. "He has 2 plans. Either I die in the competition or I live to fall into his booby trap and he can use me to reconstruct a body. But seeing as how the 7 of us defeated him when we were 16 and 17 I think me and the other champions can put a few wrenches in his plans."
"7?" Ginny asked looking up at him.
Harry smiled pulling her into a hug. "I've missed you Gin. You need to come around more often. I know your off saving the world and all but Flooing home for Weasley supper once a week isn't that hard. Yes I said 7. You, me, Hermione, Ron, Neville, Luna, and Colin. The 7 of us fought in all the major battles of the second war. I'm only telling you this because I hope I can fix it so there is no second war. I hope I can stop this before my best friends, my family are hurt or worst forced to kill to defend themselves. I know you all can. I've seen what every member of our group is willing to do for the fate of the world but I don't want you to have to do that. For magics sakes your just kids. You should be more concerned with who your taking to the Yule Ball that will be planned for this year not how to fight terrorists and insane false lords."
"Ball?" Hermione asked. "Is that what all that was about earlier? There is going to be a ball and both Mr. Krum and Mr. Diggory wish to go with me and the other is going to ask Ginny or Luna? Harry what is going on?"
"Yes there is going to be a ball. And I will be holding dance lesions for any who don't know how. Oh Ron since I am now much taller, and broader than before you can use my robes." And he was Harry was a respectable 6'1" his hair was long and fell in waves to his shoulders. He didn't wear glasses anymore and he was broad and filled out, but not bulky like Viktor. "Now Hermione. The laws in the magical world are different from those of the non-magical one. Especially here in Britain. Ladies are treated different and Men are the head of the house hold. Women are to be protected and cared for. This is not to say they are weak or incapable. Look at Molly, there is no one can say she doesn't rule the roost. But in a public setting, like in 2nd year she was quiet letting Arthur deal with the issues. That is how it works in this world. I have placed you and Luna under the protection of the House of Potter. As Lord of that House any one saying or doing anything against you will have to face me. Either in court or in a duel."
"Yeah. Harry would have had the right to wipe the floor with Malfoy for what he called you." Ron told her.
"Harry would now be either your father or older brother in the eyes of the ministry." Neville explained quietly. He was so thrilled to be included by the bo... MAN he looked up to. To be called a friend by the person he admired most was bringing Neville Longbottom out of his shell.
Hermione looked up at the ceiling in thought. "I don't like it but I do understand."
"And I know that at first light tomorrow you will be in the library researching laws." He added with a smile, getting a chuckle from Ron and a blush from Hermione.
"H... Harry? Why would they want to take me?" She asked insecure
"Hermione." He said affectionately. "It's so sad that me and Ron couldn't see it at 14. You are gorgeous. And in a few years you are going to bloom into a woman that even using her full allure Felur can't out shine. You are so beautiful on so many levels. Your, as Ron says, brilliant but scary, you have NEWT scores that would have made that false lord die in shame if we hadn't already defeated him. You're kind and caring to all peoples. You try so hard to make everyone's lives perfect and that is one of the best things about you." He told her. The more he praised her the redder she got. By the end she was nearly purple from blushing so hard.
"And Hermione your not the only one. Ginny." He said turning to the young girl. "You are the only living person, that I know of, in my time, that can beat me in a duel. Only a fool would call you ugly. Your heart shaped face, cupids bow mouth and porcelain skin I'm sure are the envy of models and actresses the world over. I mean any girl that can keep the twins, Percy and Ron in line and defeat 15 armed wizards without ruining her gown has to be admired by the masses." Ginny now matched Hermione in color. Harry made her sound like some kind of super hero.
"And then there is La Luna. Beautiful is not nearly enough to describe you. You out shine your name sake every time you smile. You are so unique that no other woman can even be compared to you. You have this inner fire that seems to be infectious. If I want someone to cover my back in battle I call in a Weasley, if I need advise or research done I call Hermione or my wife, But if I just need a shoulder to lean on then I come to you. Everyone else in the whole magical world leans on me. They call my name when they are in need of a hero. But when this hero is in need you're the one I call. Your the one that is there when I need picking up. When I need a hero."
Luna didn't blush but the sincerity in his words made tears pour down her face. She could see he was telling the truth. Harry Potter, the boy-who-lived, thought of her, Loony Lovegood, as his hero and savior. She ran into his arms crying. He just held her kissing the top of her head.
To lighten the mood Dean joked. "So who is this mystery wife?"
Harry laughed squeezing Luna again before letting her go but keeping an arm around her shoulders. "That's a secret. But I will tell you both my wife and husband are members of our year, and they are not in Gryffindor."
Hermione looked at him. "Well I know you value smart, and kind people so I would guess a Ravenclaw or maybe a Hufflepuff."
Harry smiled. "One of them is a Raven. One of the few that I will associate with. There are several junior Death Eaters in the Blue and Bronze house. But there are a few from every house that have or will join the dark bastard."
Hermione scowled at him. "Harry Potter I don't care if your 14 or 114 you will not use that kind of language."
Harry blushed. "Sorry 'Mione. You and my husband are always on to me about that. I can't help it the people I work with curse more often with their mouths than their wands."
"So what do you do mate?" Ron asked. "And everyone else too."
"Well after the fall of the Riddle, that's what Voldemort's real name is Tomas Marvolo Riddle. We were all attacked by the ministry to work for them. We did for a few years but you and I both hated being Aurors after all we had seen and done. As I said you quit went pro for a few years then became a team manager. I got tired of the paparazzi so I found a job that let me flee the country. I became a curse breaker like Bill. Hermione worked in the Department of Magical Creatures until she straitened it out and finished her Charms Mastery. She now teaches Charms and is Head of Gryffindor. Neville stayed here at the castle to get his Herbology mastery and headed Gryffindor till Minerva retired. He then took headmaster, but still teaches. Luna... well Luna runs the Quibbler and heads the Department of Mysteries. Ginny works for the non-magical government as a MMI agent. Which is part of MI6 she deals with all non-human cases around the world. She in recent years has been working with SHIELD. My eldest son works with MMI as well."
"You mean the muggles know about magic?" Hermione asked concerned.
"Oh course. The royal family, the Prime minister and a few other ministry heads have always known. MMI was founded in 1993 after Sirius' escape and a few other issues that happened around the same time. During the second war the Prime minister gave the Minister of Magic and ultimatum. Either take care of Riddle quickly or he would nuke all magical enclaves. They would have destroyed us all to kill him and keep magic a secret. See all the killings were starting to make people paranoid and they were catching wind of magic. Once a wizard casting a spell hits the internet that's it the secret is out and there is no putting it back."
"So this MMI takes care of all magical problems that come up?" Ginny asked
"No. Most magical issues are still taken care of by Arthur's department though it is different and more effective now. MMI deals with big issues. They take care of dark lords, Pixie invasions, Inferi nests, aliens, that slime monster the twins created 3 years ago that nearly ate all of London. Those kinds of things."
"So I save the world?"
"Yeah pretty much. You protect everyone from crazy random things that not even your crazy brothers could come up with. Well there was that one time dragons roosted in Hyde Park and you were called in but Charlie rarely has crazy ideas." Harry replied scratching his head.
"So who is all your friends married to?" Lavender said getting back to what interested her.
Harry smiled. "That would be telling." He said winking at her. "I will say Ron marries a simply gorgeous island girl. I think Ginny is dating one of the members of the Avengers, they're American super heroes. One of them is Thor the Norse god of thunder and fertility among other things. But I know it's not Thor since she took me as her date to his wedding. Hermione, Neville, Luna, Susan Bones, and Cedric are all married to current Hogwarts students."
She looked both thrilled for the gossip and annoyed that there wasn't more at the same time. Lavender and her best friend Parviti are, were and always will be 2 of the biggest gossips Hogwarts had ever seen.